Observations from the Battlefield

Observations from the Battlefield

The imagery of the American Dream has never been a constant. America's aspirations are simply a vast collective of wishes for future generations by those confronted by problems that seem difficult to solve. Although we never admitted it, America was never perfect. And our notion of the dream was always a work in progress matching our hopes for our nation.

As Americans we dreamed of exploring our universe. However, outside of our childhood imaginations, we never dreamed of living on other planets for fun. It was always because something on earth forced us to seek refuge elsewhere. The same is true on earth. Our parents and grandparents hoped to escape poverty, crime and other social ills by moving their children and grandchildren to safer places but equally environments where they could earn higher wages and live better lives. Suburbia became our dream as a refuge from the cities. Rarely did we ever hear about people demanding change where they were if they had the means to leave. 

And therefore, it is important to look at those left behind. What is the American Dream for those who can't escape the decaying city, urban or rural poverty, language or cultural issues, poor education, lack of medical or mental care, or some other challenge? 

COVID 19, like so many of America's recent crises, forces us to re-examine the American Dream. It makes us return to the concept of heroism, the role of government, images of leadership, and doing what is best for the greater good.  Recovery in America from natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, viruses) is rarely discussed at the grassroots. We all know of, and learn of, the work of charitable organizations but we simply don't see victims months or years after the event is over. How, if ever, do these people put their lives back together? How do they re-establish their goals of attaining the American Dream? And what happens to their children and grandchildren?

In reality, America is filled with lots of forgotten people. Yet, the forgotten American is probably the true spirit of the nation. I would bet that, despite their status, many of these people have the greatest courage and the deepest layers of hope. It is that hope that re-energizes the American Dream. If we are the greatest nation on earth, and are to remain that nation, these Americans are the ones than must be saved from the waves of COVID 19. And in this case, most of the rescuing of the nation does not come from the government, but from the kindness of friends, relatives and strangers. 

"Underdog," a timely new song by Alicia Keys, highlights part of this dilemma. Keys hails the underdogs for their service to the society for the greater good. America's underdogs are these forgotten people who are going to be the next heroes. They are the public servants, the first-responders, the poor, the underemployed, and the health professionals. And regardless of their contributions, we will never sufficiently thank them for saving our lives and keeping our American Dream alive while probably sacrificing their own.

The "war against the invisible enemy" as President Trump has defined it, is an extension of his cultural-political crusade. He has transformed a medical crisis into one of race, gender and class. His actions illustrate the reality behind the facade. Halting passenger flights from China, did not stop trade from Asia. For example, cargo ships and flights still arrived at American ports. Crew traveled freely through American cities before returning home. The "protective" European COVID travel ban forced Americans in Europe to fly home to beat a Friday night deadline. It created crowded airports in major east coast cities where exiting passengers waited up to 7 hours in customs areas before being released onto American soil. Customs Agents screened passengers for their temperatures and signs of the virus in what easily became a fertilization zone. If someone did not have the virus before the mass-deplaning, they certainly could have acquired it in the airport. And then thousands exposed taxi cab, livery (limo, Uber and Lyft), and bus drivers, subway operators, and train conductors and engineers to their germs on their way to their final destinations. 

There are other examples including that of longshoremen/truck drivers, who under relaxed regulations, are now working dozens of hours per day transporting products to grocery stores where another set of underemployed workers are exposed to large numbers of customers who in their panic buying are violating social distancing guidelines and exposing their germs. Or first responders who working long hours outdoors when others are inside.  Or the women who clean our homes, take care of our children, and teach our children. As well as the under-equipped and ill-equipped medical personnel who are exposed to people with the virus and other contagious illnesses. And everyone has the potential of taking the virus home and infecting their spouses, children, parents, relatives and friends.

In essence, the observations from the battlefield indicate that our responses to COVID 19 are inadequate. America is demonstrating poor national and global leadership. We are also suggesting that we are willing to sacrifice our elderly, poor, and service workers. Our failure to trust science and do the math reveals that we can easily surpass the projections of hundred-thousands or millions of deaths. Currently, America has tested more than any other nation, but has examined less than 1% of the nation's population. In contrast, our yield of infected is greater than any other nation, and Americans account for 142,178 of the 720, 217 global infected cases. Americans are rapidly approaching 10% of all COVID deaths. In the face of these statistics, the administration has suggested that perhaps various state imposed restrictions can be lifted by Easter.

But why this approach? This is not flattening the projection curves! Embattled governors, whose states are suffering exponential casualties are doing more than the chief executive. In this war, the general has retreated while the captains are continuing to fight. And the commander in chief, who sees himself as a wartime president, is now suggesting that the captains should fight their battles alone. This seems more like a surrender than a victory.

History is slowly revealing that America is not prepared for this outbreak. Nor was it prepared for many of the disasters of the last two decades. It is not surprising that with each attempt of promoting a "trickle down economy" that the nation is caught flatfooted. The result has been a nation that is slow to react and willing to accept greater casualties due to a lack of expensive resources. We also see a conflicted president who is more concerned with his re-election than forcing corporations to manufacture gowns, masks, and ventilators. And, instead of uniting the nation, the president is still engaged in fighting with the media, ostracizing Democratic opponents, and pandering to evangelical, Republican and corporate interests.  In this manner the administration appears to resolve issues by only involving segments of the population in these conflicts. Such circumstances encourages it to place blame individuals who cannot defend themselves, and place the burden of national recovery on the service workers. Ultimately, this enables one group, the wealthy, who can easily cloister at home, to escape the crisis with minimal consequence. 

The soldiers of COVID 19 are its heroes. If we are to celebrate the underdogs, we should reward them for their contributions. The current legislation with loans for small businesses and checks for individuals and families earning less than $190,000 is a mediocre first step. If nothing else transpires, this remedy will be an insult. As it now stands, the greatest beneficiaries of COVID 19 are corporations who, in receiving a second bailout in less than four years, can easily afford greater sacrifices. 

Let's hope that Congress addresses these shortcomings and restores hope to those who keep the American Dream alive.